Jake Kussmaul

I come from a family who is passionate about all things music. I learned to sing at an early age, and by 13, had my very own Fender Strat guitar. I tried my hardest at learning all that I could. Because I was born with cerebral palsy, I had to teach myself an adaptive playing style. I learned to write and record my own music, despite these difficulties. In college, I started making great use of my writing abilities by reviewing music, as well as copy editing. I guess it's best to stick with what you know, while welcoming a fair challenge at the same time.

Danish instro-rock guitar virtuoso Jacob Quistgaard is spreading his signature sound around the world. Having picked up the six-string as a child, Quistgaard worked to develop a competent skillset by adolescence once moving to the UK. He then furthered his craft in the Royal Music Academy, under the tutelage of …

Lifehouse have held a strong footing amidst the variable success of current mainstream rock. The band is best known for their accessible blend of post-grunge and pop, which defines such classics as “Hanging by A Moment,” “Spin,” and “You And Me,” along with modern gems “All In” and “Hurricane.” 17 …

PM Romero has seen his recent efforts begin to catalyze the realization of his hopes and dreams. Alongside songwriting partner Ish Herring, their band, William Pilgrim, has earned equal parts acclaim and fame. Their two albums thus far, 2011’s The Great Recession and 2014’s Epic Endings have impacted the scope …

Liverpool, England singer-songwriter Dan Croll experienced honest-to-goodness success within a relatively short span of his music career. The release of his 2014 major label debut, Sweet Disarray, was followed by an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel and, despite variable reception, a still-respectable #12 spot on Billboard’s US Top Heatseekers Albums chart. …

In preparation for my seeing Dishwalla perform at the Paramount later this month, I’ve decided to give their latest album, Juniper Road, a well-deserved go. For reference, their previous eponymously-titled album fared decently, nearly breaking the top 10 on the US Indie charts. This is representative of a steady trend, …

When it comes to music, the primary focus of conversation may center on the adulation of certain artists, genre preferences, and the like. But in truth, it is the services distributing the music that are of equal importance to the artists who help create it. Haulix is one of particularly …

Edward Rogers’ career progression melds substantial poignancy with matching diligence. The Birmingham-bred Englishman initially honed his musical chops on drums, playing in various garage bands upon moving to New York City. However, a subway accident in 1985 left him without a right arm and right leg below the knee. This …

Misery Signals have long proven an upstanding force in the North American metalcore underground. Formed in 2002, the American-Canadian quintet continually amasses dedicated fans through a successful approach – a heavily melodic foundation featuring unorthodox rhythm changes and breakdowns, bolstered by a four-album-strong referential output and consistent touring presence. Today …

Jonathan Wolfe has created a wealth of buzz around his latest endeavor, Vespera. The initially one-man band began in part because of a resonant quote by David Bowie, which promptly jolted Wolfe out of his artistic slump: “If you feel safe in the area that you’re working in,” he observed, …

German post-punkers Lea Porcelain comprise a foundation on which Julien Bracht and Markus Nikolaus closely collaborate. Initially a long-distance project bolstered by the merit of two fruitful solo careers, the Frankfurt duo’s chemistry felt all the more solid. In fact, mere hours into their first ever in-person recording session, they …

Veteran hard rockers Colossal Street Jam have continually proven a worthy asset of the New Jersey music scene. Releasing their debut album in 1993, the band showed honest promise during the decade’s alternative rock boom. Accumulative internal conflict led to the band’s hiatus in 1995, but that would ultimately serve …

Sydney Lauren has fostered a pertinently empowering musical sensibility, and her timing couldn’t have been better. The pop singer/songwriter penned the song “Save Us” amid the Pulse nightclub attacks in Orlando, Florida. Its eventual release marks a full year after the event, providing listeners insight into the importance of temerity, …